Grinding in reverse and an inability to shift into first at a stop is usually a sign of a clutch that isn't disengaging. I would be looking at the master cylinder, line, or the slave cylinder first. After that, you will need to check the pivot, t/o arm, t/o bearing/ and lastly, the clutch assembly itself.

chasfer - is the clutch slipping in 4th or 5th if you get happy with the skinny pedal? With the engine running and the rig sitting still, do you have trouble getting into any other gears besides Reverse and 1st?

Keep in mind that free advice can frequently be worth less than you pay for it.

I only have trouble getting into 1st gear from a complete stop. And reverse.
And I havent experienced any tranny slip. Of course its a 4 banger 97 so its such a pooch I really baby her. Its been lots of fun to drive especially on the 200 acre farm I hunt. Thats a big reasin I bought it. Deer hunting. And 4x4 to pull deer out of the back 40